The Rejected Mate

CHAPTER TWELVE

Damon's POV

I should have been halfway across the country. I should have been keeping my mind busy, doing anything to fill the emptiness that had been crawling under my skin.

But I had a strong feeling—one that dragged me back home the moment I heard Anita will be accompanying Rowan to the ascending ceremony which I had initially refused to attend.

Walking into the ballroom, I kept searching for her just to get a glimpse of her.

Then I saw her, and everything inside me snapped.

She looks more beautiful in a way that punched the air from my lungs. Her lips parted in shock when her eyes landed on me.

Guess she never knew I'll be attending.

But the thing that destroyed me....

The thing that tore through me like a knife.... Is her belly.

Round. Full. Showing—carrying my pup.

My wolf roared so violently, I almost shifted right in the middle of the ballroom.

I didn't need anyone to tell me. I felt it the second my eyes landed on her. Blood called to blood. Bond called to bond.

That was my child. And she had been carrying my pup alone. Without me.

Because of what I said—because of what I threw away.

Guilt washed all over me. Sharp and merciless.

Rowan stepped protectively beside her. My vision blurred with rage. I feel like ripping his throat apart but I restrained myself because of Anita. I want to take her away, hold her, apologize until my voice break.

But she look at me with her eyes filled with fear. Pain. Hurt so deep that I barely survive seeing it.

Then she turned....and ran.

"Anita," I shouted, running after her.

My beta, Maverick, yelled behind me.

"Damon wait, you can't just leave!"

But I didn't care. All I care and think about right now is Anita and my pup.

I shoved through the crowd, ignoring their stares, ignoring the other Alphas calling my name.

She burst out through the back door into the cold night.

I followed fast after her, determined to find her and God help anyone who stood in my way.

The cat and mouse chase begun. I followed her through bushes but when I eventually catch up with her, I saw her with Darius.

Darius had been a pain in my neck—always awaiting for my downfall.

I growled at him when he was being touchy with her which I knew that act was deliberate to taunt me.

All of a sudden, I turned and saw Anita wringing in pain. I didn't know what's going on with her but I quickly move closer to her when I see her going down.

Anita's body went limp in my arms and every fear I had buried for months came all at once.

"Anita! Anita! Please stay with me!"

My voice cracking—something it hasn't done since I was a boy.

Her head rolled over my shoulder with her skin looking pale. Her scent—normally sweet is mixed with threads of power.

Darius stood with narrowed eyes.

"She's coming into a full awakening."

I shot him a hard glare.

"Since when do you know anything about my mate."

"Since every Alpha within a hundred miles felt that burst of power. She's triggering nature's bond."

"Nature's.....what?"

I don't have time to process that. A huge shockwave rippled through the clearing. Leaves sprang up like they were being lifted by invicible hands.

Anita's fingers moved.

"We have to get her out of here." I growled.

Darius smirked.

"To your pack? So she can be surrounded by those who bullied her for being a powerless Omega? Brilliant plan."

I wanted to tear him apart but Anita whimpered softly—barely audible.

I stand up in one swift motion, lifting her up.

"Move." I roared.

Darius crossed his arms.

"I'll like to see you try."

I don't have time for this, but before I could lung at him, his eyes flickered over my shoulders.

"We're not alone."

I can hear the distant sound of approaching footsteps and howling of wolves. My Beta's voice calling my name.

"s**t!" I exclaimed.

If they found Anita like this— unconscious, powered, vulnerable— it would raise questions I didn't know answers to. Questions only Anita herself could give answers to when she's ready.

I gave Darius a warning look—

"If you say one word about her condition to anyone—"

He raised his eyebrows.

"Relax, Damon. I'm not the villain tonight."

I didn't trust him. I'll never trust him. My beta, Maverick burst in the moment he spot me.

"There you're—Dam—holy s**t, is that Anita?" He asked widened.

"Why is she unconscious? Is she hurt? And her scent—something's off—"

"Back off Maverick." I said tightening my hold on her.

He froze, shocked by my tone.

"Alpha..... what's going on."

"Nothing much for you to worry about, Maverick."

"It looks like there's a lot for me to worry about with this situation before me."

"Maverick," I called, my eyes flashing gold.

He held his hands up, nodding.

"Okay, if you insist. But some Alphas are on their way—you abandoning the party, chasing after an Omega—seems off the track."

His gaze falls to her belly. "She's pregnant?"

My wolf snarled. " I also just found out when I saw her and I knew instantly that it's mine."

"The other Alphas will soon be here and they'll have a lot of questions which you can't avoid to give answers to." He said.

"Get them off my trail." I ordered.

"If anyone follows me, I swear—"

"I got your back." Maverick said quickly.

Then he turned and run back towards the mansion calling out to other wolves on their way to head towards the opposite direction.

When the forest got silent again, Darius step forward.

"You're in deep s**t, Thorne."

I ignored him, stroking Anita's cheek. "Say one more word and I'll end you."

He grinned like he love the threat. He always behave like a maniac.

"See you soon, sweetheart." He murmured—to me or to Anita, I couldn't tell.

I growled so harshly that he vanished into the forest.

I tightened my hold on Anita. "I'm getting you home, honey. You're safe with me, even if you don't believe that yet."

She didn't respond but her hand move and her fingers curl around my shirt.